dälek's music is dark, noisy and atmospheric, equally inspired by industrial music like Einstürzende Neubauten, the layered noise of My Bloody Valentine and the dense sound collages of Public Enemy. Their sound is often constructed through sampling and a musical base atypical of most hip-hop, making it difficult for people to classify their sound. They have been described as trip hop, glitch-hop, and metal-shoegaze-hip-hop, as well as criticized for their broad range of sound.
MC dälek described the group's music to the Chicago Sun-Times:
“It's purely hiphop, in the purest sense. If you listen to what hiphop has historically been, it was all about digging in different crates and finding different sounds, and finding different influences to create. If Afrika Bambaataa wasn't influenced by Kraftwerk, we wouldn't have 'Planet Rock'. So, in that sense, what we do is strictly hiphop.”
“If there is a difference, it's that the palette of sounds we work with is more varied than what has been called hiphop in the last 10 years. Somehow, as hiphop grew, it's been put into this box. I think it's funny when people are like "That's not hiphop. It's this and this and this." You can try to rationalize it as whatever you want to rationalize it as."
Studio albums:
• Negro Necro Nekros (1998)
• From Filthy Tongue of Gods and Griots (2002)
• Absence (2004)
• Abandoned Language (2007)
• Gutter Tactics (2009)
• Untitled (2010)
• Asphalt for Eden (2016)
• Endangered Philosophies (2017)
• Precipice (2022)
Collaborations, EPs and compilations:
• Megaton / Classic Homicide (2000) Split collaboration with Techno Animal.
• Ruin It (2002) In collaboration with Kid 606.
• Dälek vs. Velma (2002) Split collaboration with Velma.
• Derbe Respect, Alder (2004) In collaboration with Faust.
• Streets All Amped (2006)
• My Education vs. Dälek (2007) In collaboration with My Education.
• Deadverse Massive Vol. 1 (2007) Rarities 1999-2006.
• Griots and Gods - Les Eurockeennes Festival Belfort (2010) Live collaboration with The Young Gods.
Praise Be The Man
Dälek Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Snub-nosed . 38 to temple test his fate
And lose.
I had the same new balance shoes
I wonder what size?
City gates long abandoned, hit ill chord type Hammond B-3
This all seems to be average Hip-hop
Watch as noise-floor drops into recesses and crevasses
As whoever attempts to be my nemesis
Guesses wrong as to meaning of this song
Bygone be bygones, why prolong the inevitable conclusion
Career choice was illusion
Mc's need skill transfusion for using
radio friendly format,
Predictable attack
Fragile as hemophiliacs
I extract essence intact
Speak to face of Anglo-Saxons
With no weapons
I'm that kid you slept on,
bottled my aggression
Concise paragraphs is window sills to life.
Niggas feeling nice on corner blocks
As soapbox preachers speak on Christ
Religion and Ism is just vice
Dull mental gives them sharper knife
Gouging out our eyes
Realize what be lies
And why our babies cry.
I saw a man yesterday,
Snub-nosed . 38 to temple test his fate
And lose.
I had the same new balance shoes
I wonder what size?
Desensitized, dwell on inkwell
Got inebriated off the blood of those I hated
In past lives
Nines reloaded by bloated officers snorting nine lines
Equation sublime
In 4/4 time, key of d
Classical poet, present day Mc
Hit your cells like hennesy
Expound boundaries like Timothy Leary
Mind's journey got you weary
Couldn't digest this spoken theory
Why your eyes teary?
Impaired vision so I speak in infrared verbs,
Severed nerves pulsing Morse coded pain
Silent syllables form words as rain wash away
Worldwide Chinese torture, cries of my culture
Keeps my nocturnal insomnia intact
Assaults alter random attacks
As you react to my act on 1st take
like Roberta Flack
Deep within the realms of this knapsack
Lie scripted scrolls and cuneiform clay tablets
Form Sumarian prophets
Unlock it.
I saw a man yesterday,
Snub-nosed . 38 to temple test his fate
And lose.
I had the same new balance shoes
I wonder what size?
Galvanized loose ends tied
Form electrical jungle vines
Keeping paths from hindsight
Loose ends galvanized
Wander wondering at twilight
Verbals to ignite.
In dälek's song "Praise Be The Man," the lyrics paint a vivid picture of the harsh realities of life, particularly in impoverished communities. The opening lines describe someone putting a gun to their head and dying by suicide; the singer can't help but notice that he was wearing the same brand of shoes as the deceased. The song then delves into the struggles of being an underground rapper, trying to make it in a world that doesn't seem to value true talent. The references to "average Hip-hop" and "radio-friendly format" suggest that too much of the music industry is focused on following trends and catering to the masses, rather than artistry and substance. The lyrics suggest that these superficial values are harmful, both to the artists themselves and to the people who consume their music. This leads into a critique of religion and other "isms," which the singer sees as a way for people to avoid facing difficult truths about the world. The phrase "gouging out our eyes" suggests that people are willfully blinding themselves to the realities of their own struggles.
As the song goes on, the singer continues to build upon the themes of violence, despair, and disillusionment. The lines "got inebriated off the blood of those I hated / in past lives" suggest a cycle of violence and revenge that perpetuates itself across generations. The combination of classical poetry and modern-day hip-hop references highlights the ways that history and tradition continue to shape our lives in the present. The singer's references to "Sumarian prophets" and "cuneiform clay tablets" suggest that there is ancient knowledge that can help us to make sense of our current struggles, if only we are willing to seek it out.
Overall, "Praise Be The Man" is a powerful meditation on the ways in which our society is broken and how difficult it can be to find meaning and purpose in a world that seems intent on crushing us down. The singer's struggles with identity, faith, and artistic expression all reflect the dilemmas faced by many people who feel marginalized and overlooked by mainstream society.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw a man yesterday,
Yesterday, I witnessed a man committing suicide by shooting himself in the head with a .38 caliber revolver.
Snub-nosed . 38 to temple test his fate
The man used a short-barreled .38 caliber handgun and placed the barrel against his temple.
And lose.
Sadly, the man did not survive and lost his life by taking his own.
I had the same new balance shoes
I noticed that I was wearing the same brand of sneakers as the man who committed suicide.
I wonder what size?
Curiously, I wondered what size his shoes were and whether they were comfortable.
City gates long abandoned, hit ill chord type Hammond B-3
The abandoned city was a desolate place, but the sound of a broken organ symbolized the melancholy mood.
Mind altered state changes scenery
Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol can drastically change how one perceives their surroundings.
This all seems to be average Hip-hop
At first glance, this song may appear to be just like any other song in the hip-hop genre.
Watch as noise-floor drops into recesses and crevasses
As the song progresses, the ambient noise level decreases, revealing hidden sounds and meanings.
As whoever attempts to be my nemesis
Anyone trying to oppose or challenge me will ultimately fail.
Guesses wrong as to meaning of this song
Those who try to interpret the song without fully understanding its context will misconstrue its intended meaning.
Bygone be bygones, why prolong the inevitable conclusion
We should let go of the past and stop delaying the inevitable outcome.
Career choice was illusion
The decision to pursue a career in music was somewhat misleading or false for the artist.
Mc's need skill transfusion for using radio friendly format
Many mainstream rappers lack the skill or originality to create music that is both appealing to the masses and artistically significant.
Predictable attack, Fragile as hemophiliacs
Their music is predictable and easily susceptible to criticism or failure.
I extract essence intact
I try to preserve the essence or core of what I am trying to convey in my music.
Speak to face of Anglo-Saxons, With no weapons
I confront white people directly without any means of defense or hostility.
I'm that kid you slept on, bottled my aggression
I am the young artist that was overlooked or dismissed by many in the music industry. I have suppressed my anger or frustration in order to succeed.
Concise paragraphs is window sills to life.
I use precise language and words to create a window into the world or life experiences that I have had.
Niggas feeling nice on corner blocks, As soapbox preachers speak on Christ
People gather on street corners to drink and socialize while religious preachers try to convert them to Christianity.
Religion and Ism is just vice
Both organized religion and political ideologies are negative influences on society and individuals.
Dull mental gives them sharper knife
Those with less education or critical thinking abilities are more susceptible to manipulation or deception.
Gouging out our eyes
People are figuratively blinding themselves to the truth and reality of their situation.
Realize what be lies
People need to recognize the false information or propaganda that they have been fed.
And why our babies cry.
This cycle of deceit and ignorance is causing distress and pain for the younger generations.
Desensitized, dwell on inkwell
We have become desensitized to the violence and suffering around us, and instead focus on superficial or insignificant things.
Got inebriated off the blood of those I hated In past lives
Metaphorically, the artist has consumed the negative energy or karma of those who have wronged him in the past.
Nines reloaded by bloated officers snorting nine lines
Police officers are corrupt and addicted to drugs or power.
Equation sublime In 4/4 time, key of d
The artist's musical composition is complex and brilliant, utilizing a common time signature and key.
Classical poet, present day Mc
The artist considers himself a modern-day poet, blending elements of classical literature with contemporary rap music.
Hit your cells like hennesy
The artist's rhymes or beats will hit you as hard as a strong alcoholic drink.
Expound boundaries like Timothy Leary
Similar to how Timothy Leary expanded upon the boundaries of human consciousness, the artist pushes the limits of creative expression in his music.
Mind's journey got you weary
The intricate and profound lyrics of the song may be mentally and emotionally taxing for listeners.
Couldn't digest this spoken theory
Some people may find it difficult to fully understand or comprehend the artist's message or philosophy.
Why your eyes teary?
The song's message may be emotionally resonant or triggering for some listeners.
Impaired vision so I speak in infrared verbs
The artist's unique perspective or altered state of mind is reflected in his choice of words or language.
Severed nerves pulsing Morse coded pain
The emotional pain or distress the artist feels is conveyed through the lyrics of the song.
Silent syllables form words as rain wash away
The song's lyrics flow and intertwine with each other like raindrops washing away the filth and grime of everyday life.
Worldwide Chinese torture, cries of my culture
The artist reflects on the suffering and oppression that his cultural heritage has endured throughout history.
Keeps my nocturnal insomnia intact
The artist's sleepless nights and emotional turmoil inform his creative output and drive him to make art.
Assaults alter random attacks As you react to my act on 1st take like Roberta Flack
The artist's music is powerful and provocative and may elicit a strong reaction from listeners, much like Roberta Flack's music did in the past.
Deep within the realms of this knapsack
Metaphorically, the artist carries with him a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and emotions that inform and drive his art.
Lie scripted scrolls and cuneiform clay tablets Form Sumarian prophets
The artist draws inspiration from ancient texts and beliefs of the Sumerian people when crafting his music.
Unlock it.
Through his music and words, the artist hopes to unlock the potential and creativity within his listeners.
Galvanized loose ends tied Form electrical jungle vines
The artist seeks to unite disparate ideas and themes within his music, creating complex and interconnected arrangements.
Keeping paths from hindsight
The artist's music serves as a guide or roadmap for listeners, helping them to navigate through life's challenges.
Wander wondering at twilight
Reflecting on the mysteries and uncertainties of life at dusk, the artist imbues his music with a sense of mystery and intrigue.
Verbals to ignite.
With his words, the artist hopes to inspire and motivate his listeners, emboldening them to follow their own creative paths and passions.
Contributed by Logan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
musiclover01ization
Cool song.
mycase
Yep
mycase
Omamma i Dalek di DW